Norwich Township

Firefighters gear up for bike patrol

Buy This PhotoRYAN M.L. YOUNG/THISWEEKNEWSLt. Rick Warren (left) and firefighter Dan Buelow are two of the nine members of the Norwich Township Fire Department's new bicycle patrol. Warren is the patrol commander.

Buy This PhotoRYAN M.L. YOUNG/THISWEEKNEWSThe Norwich Township Fire Department's bike patrol gear will include a basic first aid kit, an airway kit and a cardiac kit with a defibrillator.

Blaring sirens and flashing lights usually herald the arrival of help in a medical emergency, but this summer in Hilliard, the sound of shifting bicycle gears could accompany medics to a scene.

New Chief Jeff Warren recently established a nine-member Norwich Township Fire Department bicycle patrol, an action he announced after being promoted in March to replace the retiring Bob Kaufman.

"I saw its success in Washington Township (in Dublin) and wanted Norwich to provide something similar for our residents," Warren said. "The bike patrol is an opportunity for us to get out into the community without using only our engines and vehicles."

Warren said in addition to community outreach and public relations, the bike patrol would provide quick responses during emergencies.

"As a bike patrol, we have the mobility to respond to emergencies in a crowded area ... such as the county fair or a 5K event," he said.

Bike patrol members could also cover wooded areas and uneven terrain to help search for missing persons, Warren said.

Neighborhood patrols would be based on weather conditions and available personnel.

"It would be a matter of just being in the right place at the right time," said the bike patrol commander, Lt. Rick Warren, who is not related to the chief.

The bike patrol firefighters will carry defibrillators and other life-support systems to administer care until other medics arrive, Rick Warren said.

Rick Warren said the Hilliard Division of Police, which has an established bike patrol, assisted Norwich Township firefighters with organizing and training.

The police also donated two bicycles to the fire department, he said, and the department is in the process of acquiring two additional bicycles.

Police officer Ron Burkitt will donate his services as the department's bicycle mechanic, he said.

Because of high interest among the Norwich firefighters, a qualification process was necessary to determine the nine members of the bike patrol.

Members were selected based on their availability to complete a 32-hour course from the International Police Mountain Bike Association and related demands, Jeff Warren said.

Bike patrol members are scheduled to participate in a community ride-along from the Hilliard-Ray Patch Family YMCA to the Heritage Trail Dog Park at 7 p.m. June 23 as part of the Pedals to Paws program.

They also will work during the Fourth of July parade and the concert and fireworks at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park.